Rescue apparatus



Dec. 21, 1937., J, w JUSTUS 2,102,626

RES CUE APPARATUS Fi led Aug. 10, 1936 INVENTOR .[W Juan/45 ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 21, 1937 RESCUE APPARATUS James W. Justus, Birmingham, Ala., assignor of four eightieths to J.

B. Owens, Birmingham,

and seventy-six eightieths to Deep Sea Rescue & Salvage Corporation, Birmingham, Ala.

Application August 10, 1936, Serial No. 95,159

5 Claims.

This invention relates to a rescue apparatus and has relation more particularly to an apparatus of this kind for'use in connection with boats, and it is primarily anobject of the invention to provide an apparatus of this kind which provides means whereby access may be had to the interior of a sunken vessel for the purpose of effecting rescue or for salvaging the cargo of such vessel. The original application for Letters Patent was filed 9 on December 24, 1934, under Serial No. 759,092.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of this kind wherein the hull of the boat at one or more points is provided with a normally closed entrance opening together with a diving bell or other submerging structure alsoprovided with a normally closed entrance opening for registry with the entrance opening in the hull of the vessel, the closures for theentrance openings in the vessel and the bell being operable from within the bell to adjust such closure in a manner to permit desired communication between the bell and .the interior of the vessel.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved rescue apparatus whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive, and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

Apparatus embodying features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming part of this application, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view partly in section and partly in elevation and of somewhat a diagrammatic character illustrating an apparatus constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in top plan of one of the closure members as herein employed; 7

Fig. 3 is a view in top plan of another of the closure members as herein embodied; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the bell and the vessel in locked connection one with the other.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawing, W denotes a wall of a diving bell or other submerging device, the construction and character of which forms no part of the present invention. This wall W at a suitably located point is provided with an opening I which is defined by an outstanding and relatively long continuous flange 2 providing what might be termed a conoidal male member with the smaller end of the taper oute wardly disposed. This smaller end of the male member is provided with an inwardly disposed continuous lip or flange 3 against which contacts a rotatable closure member 4 snugly fitting within themale member 2. This member 4 to one side of its axis is provided with a relatively large opening5; while the upper or inner face of this member 4 is provided with asubstantially semi-circular groove 6 concentric to the axial center of the closure member 4.

Overlying the closure member 4 is a second closure member 7 which also snugly engages within the male member 2 and has close contact with the previously applied closure member 4. The member 'lto one side of its axial center carries an outstanding ing 8 which is received within the semi-circular groove 6 of the closure member 4 hereinbefore referred. to. At its axial center the closure member 1 is provided with a socket 9 preferably angular in cross section, and in which is adapted to be inserted the angular end portion In of an operating member ll, said memberbeing herein disclosed as a conventional hand crank although I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself in this respect.

The closure member I is also provided therethrough with arelatively large opening I2 of the same diameter as the opening 5 and to one side of the axial center of the member 1. Normally the openings 5 and 12, as illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawing, are diametrically opposed so that the opening is effectively closed by the disk 4 at the same time the opening 5 is effectively closed by the disk 1.

When the disks 4 and l are in this normal closed position the outer face of the disk 1 has a tapered pocket M in communication with the opening 5 and leading from this pocket [4 through the closure member 1 is a port l5 opening within the interior of the diving bell or kindred submerging device of which the wall W is a part. Snugly fitting within the pocket i4 is a hollow tapered valve member IS, the skirt of which being provided with an opening H for register with the port l5 upon requisite turning movement of the valve member It so that the port I5 will have communication with the opening 5.

The valve member 3 may be rotated in any desired manner but, as herein disclosed, the central portion of this valve member l6 carries a shank l8 extending through the closure member I and having an angular end I 9 with which a suitable operating member may be conveniently engaged. 1

After the closure members 4 and I have been applied within the male member Zthey are efiec- 55 tively held in desired assembly by a ring member 20 threading within the larger end portion of the male member. This ring member 20 may be otherwise applied.

The hull of a vessel atone or more points thereon, as for example in each side and substantially midship, is provided with an entrance opening 2| defined by an inwardly disposed and relatively long flange 22 whereby is produced a tapered female member in which is adapted to be snugly received the male member 2. r V I V This member 22 has the smaller end of its taper inwardly disposed and said smaller end is closed by a head 23 preferably integral therewith. The

head 23 is provided therethrough with an opening 24 of desired size and which is normally closed by a closure member 25 snugly and rotatably en.-

' gaged within the inner portion of the female member 22. The closure member 25 is held in desired position by an annular member .26 fitting within the female member 22 for close contact with the applied closure member25. This mem ber 26 is maintained in desired position by holding screws 21 'or' otherwise as may be preferred.

When the opening 24 is closed by the member.

25, the tapered pocket 28 in the adjacent face of the closure member .25 is in communication with the'opening '24 and'leading' from this pocket 28 anddisposed through the closure member 25 is a port 29. gaged therewith a hollow tapered valve member 30, the skirt of which being provided with a port 3| for register with the port 29. The'valve member 30 also carries a shank 32 passing through the closure member 25 to beengaged'by asuitable operating member as has hereinbefore been stated with respect to the valve member I61 The pocket 28 is to one side of the axial center of the member 25 and to the opposite side of said member 25 and in radial alignment with the pocket 28 is an opening 33 through the closure member 25' of the same dimensions as the opening 24, and the member '25 is adapted to hemtated to bring the openings 33 and 24 into register in order to havedesired access within the hull of the vessel.

.As herein disclosed the member 25in its inner face is provided with a substantially semi-circular groove or slot 34 concentric to the axial center of the member 25 and in which is received a lug 35 projecting from the opposed face of the closure member 4 carried by the wall W as the 'member 2 enters the member 22. ,This engage ment' of the lug 35 Within'the groove 34 provides means whereby the desired rotation of the 010- sure member 25 may be effected by therotation of th'e'closure member I. i r r j The closure member 4 has extending entirely around its periphery a channel 36 which is at all times in communication with a port 31 which extends through the wall W and opens through the outer face thereof at a desired pointremote from the male member 2. As herein disjclosed'a portion of this port 31 is continued through'a pipeline 38 within the diving bell and interposed in this pipe line 38 is a regulating valve 39.

The wall 40 of the hull of the vessel in its outer" faceis provided therearoundwith a continuous annulari groove 4| concentric to the axial center of the member 22 and the inner portion of this groove or channel 4'! is undercut at opposite sides thereof to provide the inner shoulders 42. V V

Disposed through the wall W at suitable points around the member 2 are the shanks 43, the outer ends of which carrying cross heads 44. As

This pocket '28 has threadably en the member 2 snugly engages within the member 7 22 the heads 44 will pass into the slot 4| whereupon said shanks 43 are given a partial turn to' cause the extremities of the heads 44 to overlie the shoulders 42, the shanks 43 are then effectively tightened as by the nuts 45, thus assuring a tight and efie ctive securement of the diving bellgto the hull of the vessel. The nuts '45 may be operated in any desired manner.

Before the member ,2 is caused to enter the member 22, the valve 39 is adjusted into open position and the valve 16 is closed. This is .to

allow the waterwithi-n the female member .to pass out through the port 31 as the male member snugly seatsitself within the member 22 and the desired anchoring or securement effected.

When this anchoring or attachment is completed the'valve 33 is closed and there will be a certain amount of water pressure within the openings5 and 33 and between the closure members 25 and I 4. In order to relieve'such pressure-to facilitate V the desired operationof the closure members 4 and l, the valve I5 is adjusted to openthecom- 'munication of the port I 5'with theopenin g 5 and then after the members;4 and l have been adjusted to bring the openings 5 and I2 into register and with the registering openings 5 and I2 above the valve 30, this valve is adjusted into open position to open the port 29 to the interior of the vessel. If the vessel'is floodedwater will start, to fiow out through the port 29, but, of course, the occupant of the bell will then'immediately close the valve 33. If the vessel is not flooded the member 7 is continued to be operatedso that the member 25 may be adjusted to bring theopening 33 into communication with the registering openings 5 and I2 and then to bring the registering openings 33, 5 and I2 into register with the opening 24. These openings are-of a size to readily permit the passage of a person therethrough whereby any of the occupants of the vessel can be removed or an occupant of the bell'or kindred submerging device may enter the vessel for the purpose of salvage.

It is believed to be self-evident that when it is desired to disconnect from the vessel the operation hereinbefore referredto is reversed.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a rescue apparatus constructed in'accordance with myinvention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility. with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious'that myinfication without depa ti g from the spirit and principles thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement andformation' of the, sevclosure member, a submergible vessel having an opening in a wall thereof defined by a surrounding flange to provide a member to telescope with the entrance member of the hull, a plurality of closure members within the member of the sub mergible jvessel, said closure members having ventionis susceptible of some change and modiopenings adapted to register with each other,

said openings being also adapted to be brought into register with the openings in the closure members of the hull.

2. In combination, a vessel hull having an opening therethrough defined by a surrounding flange providing an entrance member, a closure member for the said entrance member provided with a passage opening, a closure member mounted Within the entrance member'and having an opening to register with the opening in the first closure member, a submergible vessel having an opening in a wall thereof defined by a surrounding flange to provide a member to telescope with the entrance member of the hull, a plurality of closure members within the member of the submergible vessel, said closure members having openings adapted to register with each other, said openings being also adapted tobe brought into register with the openings in the closure members of the hull, and means permitting the escape of water as the entrance member of the hull and the associated member of the submergible vessel are telescopingly engaging.

3. In combination, a vessel hull having an opening therethrough defined by a surrounding flange providing an entrance member, a closure member for the-said entrance member provided with a passage opening, a closure member mounted within the entrance member and having an opening to register with the opening in the first closure member, a submergible vessel having an opening in a wall thereof defined by a surrounding fiange to provide a member to telescope with the entrance member of the hull, a plurality of closure members within the member of the submergible vessel, said closure members having openings adapted to register with each other, said openings being also adapted to be brought into register with the openings in the closure members of the hull, and means for releasing the closure member of the submergible vessel from the pressure of the water thereon after the entrance member of the hull and the associated member of the submergible vessel have been telescopically engaged one within the other.

4. In combination, a. vessel hull having an opening therethrough defined by a surrounding flange providing an entrance member, a closure member for the said entrance member provided With a passage opening, a closure member mounted within the entrance opening and havingan opening to register with the opening in the first closure member, a submergible vessel having an opening in a wall thereof defined by a surrounding flange to provide a member to telescope with the entrance member of the hull, a plurality of closure members within the member of the submergible vessel, said closure members having openings adapted to register with each other, said openings being also adapted to be brought into register with the openings in the closure members of the hull, and means for releasing the closure members of the submergible vessel from the pressure of the water thereon after the entrance member of the hull and the associated member of the submergible vessel have been telescopically engaged one within the other, said means being operable from within the submergible vessel.

5. In combination, a vessel hull having an opening therethrough defined by a surrounding flange providing an entrance member, a closure member for the said entrance member provided with a passage opening, a closure member rotatably mounted within the entrance member and having an opening to register with the opening in the first closure member, a submergible vessel having an opening in a wall thereof defined by a surrounding flange to provide a member to telescope with the entrance member of the hull, a plurality of rotary closure members within the member of the submergible vessel, said closure members having openings adapted to register with each other, said openings being also adapted to be brought into register with the openings in the closure members of the hull, and means operated from the exterior of the hull to effect communication with the interior of the hull after the entrance member of the hull and the associated member of the submergible vessel are telescopically engaged and before the closure members are moved into open position.

JAMES W. JUSTUS. 

